Matt Taylor and Kevin Davies put them firmly in the driving seat with goals in the opening 11 minutes.

Kevin Davies

West Ham responded superbly but had only Scott Parker’s goal in the 66th minute to show for all their possession.

Bolton made the breakthrough following a splendid free-kick from Taylor in the ninth minute. He curled his effort into the corner from 20 yards after Jack Collison had fouled Mark Davies.

The Hammers were left catching their breath again two minutes later when Bolton extended their lead through Davies. Johan Elmander, back in the side after a four-match absence with a hamstring injury, showed neat footwork to carve out an opening for the club captain, who swept the ball home.

There was more misery for the visitors in the 15th minute when James Collins was stretchered off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. He was replaced by James Tomkins.

David Di Michele found space at the back post 14 minutes later but dragged his effort wide, then Mark Noble was clear on goal but instead opted to try to find a team-mate – and Wanderers defender Gary Cahill was able to clear.

Carlton Cole got into a good position in the penalty area but his effort failed to trouble Jussi Jaaskelainen, then two minutes into the second half Taylor cleared Cole’s effort off the line.

West Ham got their reward in the 66th minute when Scott Parker got on the end of a cross from Jonathon Spector.

West Ham maintained the momentum and Cahill cleared off the line from Di Michele’s effort, then Jaaskelainen spilled an 82nd-minute header from Cole, only to recover just in time.